Contactless liquid distribution system

ABSTRACT

A liquid distribution system including a cart, a liquid storage container carried by the cart, and a pump fluidly connected to the liquid storage container. A plurality of arms emanating from the cart, and liquid nozzles are positioned on an end of each of the plurality of arms. A plurality of activators are arranged with one of the activators proximate to each of the ends of the arms with the nozzles. A controller is coupled to the activators and the pump, the controller monitoring input from the activators and when one of the activators sends a signal the controller directs liquid from the liquid storage container to the nozzle proximate the activator that sent the signal. The controller activates the pump to cause the liquid to flow to the nozzle proximate the activator that sent the signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 63/092,174, entitled “HYDRATION CART WITHCONTACTLESS LIQUID DISTRIBUTION”, filed Oct. 15, 2020, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid distribution system that isactivated in a contactless fashion.

2. Description of the Related Art

Automatic faucets are becoming more common in public restrooms, wherethey serve to reduce physical contact with controls and will presumablyreduce the transmission of germs. Touchless faucets are increasingly anadded feature in residential kitchens.

Automatic faucets are advantageously used by people that have difficultyin operating valves, such as arthritis sufferers. Electronic controls ofwater flow have come into use in domestic, commercial, medical andindustrial areas.

Another advantage of touchless faucets is water saving. An accuratepre-set control of the water flow rate, temperature and dispensing timeallows the flow to be accurately set to provide the correct quantity toeffectively meet the need and can be immediately stopped to avoid waste.

A disadvantage of present touchless faucets is that they are connectedto a pressurized water source and to electricity in order to beeffective, rendering them stationary.

What is needed in the art is an efficient mobile liquid distributionsystem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hydration cart that can be used todistribute liquids, such as water, to a user without requiring the userto physically contact the cart.

The invention in one form is directed to a liquid distribution systemincluding a cart, a liquid storage container carried by the cart, and apump fluidly connected to the liquid storage container. A plurality ofarms emanating from the cart, and liquid nozzles are positioned on anend of each of the plurality of arms. A plurality of activators arearranged with one of the activators proximate to each of the ends of thearms with the nozzles. A controller is coupled to the activators and thepump, the controller monitoring input from the activators and when oneof the activators sends a signal the controller directs liquid from theliquid storage container to the nozzle proximate the activator that sentthe signal. The controller activates the pump to cause the liquid toflow to the nozzle proximate the activator that sent the signal.

The invention in another form is directed to a method of distributingliquid including the step of moving a liquid distribution system to alocation. The liquid distribution system including a liquid storagecontainer, and a pump fluidly connected to the liquid storage container.A plurality of arms emanate from the system, and liquid nozzles arepositioned on an end of each of the plurality of arms. A plurality ofactivators are arranged with one of the activators proximate to each ofthe ends of the arms with the nozzles. A controller is coupled to theactivators and the pump. A controller is coupled to the activators andthe pump. The controller carrying out some of the steps of the methodincluding the steps of: monitoring input from the activators; receivinga signal from at least one of the activators; activating the pump whenone of the activators sends the signal; and directing liquid from theliquid storage container to the nozzle proximate the activator that sentthe signal to cause the liquid to flow to the nozzle proximate theactivator that sent the signal.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a portable, relocatableliquid distribution system.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be madeapparent from the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a liquiddistribution system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the liquid0 distribution system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the liquid distribution system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the liquid distribution system of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a view of a manifold and valves of the liquid distributionsystem of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a view of the pump of the liquid distribution system of FIGS.1-4; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the liquid distribution system of FIGS.1-4, shown with components of FIGS. 5 and 6.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown an exemplary embodiment of a hydration system 10 in the form of aliquid distribution system 10. Liquid distribution system 10 includes acart 12 which generally includes a chassis 14 carrying one or morewheels 16, a liquid storage tank 18 carried by the chassis 14, and adistribution assembly 20 fluidly coupled to storage tank 18 and carriedby chassis 14. Chassis 14 may include one or more frame members that arecoupled together to carry the other components of the hydration cart 10.The one or more wheels 16, are illustrated as a pair of wheels 16, thatare coupled to the chassis so hydration cart 10 is mobile and can beconveniently wheeled to a location, where liquid is desired to bedistributed, such as a field, athletic arena, etc. The wheels 16 may beany type of wheels that are suitable to help move hydration cart 10 asit is pushed or pulled from one location to another. Chassis 14 may alsohave a handle 22 coupled thereto that provides an ergonomic grip for auser to hold onto while moving hydration cart 10. It should beappreciated that chassis 14, wheels 16, and handle 22 (if included) canbe configured in many different ways to carry the components ofhydration cart 10, and the illustrated configuration is exemplary only.

It should be noted that for the sake of clarity some of the elements arepurposely omitted from some of the drawings so that all of the featurescan be adequately shown without loss in the understanding of theinvention. For example, nozzle conduits 34 are not shown in FIG. 1, noris the wiring from actuators 40. Only one nozzle conduit 34 isillustrated in FIG. 2, and one wiring connection to one actuator 40.Then in FIG. 3 all of the nozzle conduits 34 are shown as well as all ofthe wiring connections to actuators 40.

Liquid storage tank 18 is carried by chassis 14 and can take many forms.In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid storage tank 18 is in the formof what is commonly called a “cooler” that has a body defining aninterior volume. The interior volume of liquid storage tank 18 may be ofvarying sizes, such as at least 5 gallons, to hold and distribute largevolumes of liquid, which may be hydrating liquid such as water and/or asports drink. The interior volume may be accessed by pivoting a lid thatis hinged to the body. Opening the lid can allow liquid and othersubstances, such as ice, to be placed in the body for distribution fromhydration cart 10. In some embodiments, liquid storage tank 18 is formedfrom one or more insulating materials that have a low thermalconductivity so that the liquid held in liquid storage tank 18 does notrapidly change temperature within liquid storage tank 18. Exemplaryinsulating materials include, but are not limited to, various plasticsand foams. In some embodiments, liquid storage tank 18 may be wrappedwith an insulating material to further insulate the liquid held withinliquid storage tank 18. Optionally, liquid storage tank 18 may bereversibly locked to the chassis so that liquid storage tank 18 can beuncoupled from chassis 14 to, for example, clean and/or sanitize liquidstorage tank 18. A strap, hooks or other attachment elements can be usedto couple liquid storage tank 18 to loops carried by chassis 14. Thisarrangement allows for the easy coupling and removal of liquid storagetank 18 to/from chassis 14.

Distribution assembly 20 is carried by chassis 14 and is fluidly coupledto liquid storage tank 18 to distribute liquid from liquid storage tank18. Referring still to FIG. 1, and referring now to FIGS. 2-6 as well,it is shown that distribution assembly 20 includes a fluid pump 24 thatis fluidly coupled to liquid storage tank 18 and configured to supplyliquid from liquid storage tank 18 to one or more distribution nozzles26. Fluid pump 24 may be fluidly coupled to liquid storage tank 18 by afluid conduit 28, such as plastic tubing. In some embodiments, the fluidconduit 28 is also coupled to a fluid manifold 30 that is coupled to theone or more distribution nozzles 26. It should be appreciated that whilethe illustrated embodiments show a single fluid pump 24 that isconfigured to supply liquid from liquid storage tank 18 to all of thedistribution nozzles 26, in some embodiments there can be more than onefluid pump 24 that supplies liquid to the distribution nozzles 26. Thefluid pump(s) 24 may be coupled to a battery 32 carried by chassis 14 sothat hydration cart 10 can be used without needing to be plugged intomains electricity.

In some embodiments, the fluid pump 24 is configured to provideon-demand pressure so liquid from liquid storage tank 18 is delivered toone or more of the distribution nozzles 26 only when demanded, as willbe described further herein. Alternatively, or in addition, each nozzleconduit 34 fluidly coupling one or more of the distribution nozzles 26to the liquid from liquid storage tank 18 can have an associated valve36 that opens to allow fluid flow to the respective distribution nozzle26 and closes to prevent fluid flow to the respective distributionnozzle 26. Having a valve 36 associated with each of the nozzle conduits34 can, for example, allow for controlled distribution of liquid fromliquid storage tank 18 using a fluid pump 24 that maintains constantfluid pressure in the flow system, with the valve(s) opening to allowfluid to be distributed. Each valve 36 may be an electrically actuatedvalve 36 that is selectively activated by a coupled controller 38, aswill be described further herein.

Each distribution nozzle 26 has an associated activator 40 or sensor 40that is configured to output a distribution request signal S, tocontroller 38 or otherwise, so liquid from liquid storage tank 18 flowsout of a nozzle opening of the distribution nozzle 26 into, for example,a cup, sports bottle, or other vessel. Each activator 40 is a touchlessactivator 40 that is configured to output the distribution requestsignal S without being physically contacted. For example activators 40can each be an optical activator 40 that is configured to activate andoutput the distribution request signal S when an object is placed infront of the activator 40, e.g., in a path of light or otherelectromagnetic radiation emitted by activator 40. When activator 40outputs the distribution request signal S to controller 38, controller38 can output a corresponding fluid pump signal to fluid pump 24, and avalve open signal to a respective valve 36, so liquid from liquidstorage tank 18 is delivered out of the distribution nozzle 26associated with the activator 40 from which the distribution requestsignal S originated. In some embodiments, each activator 40 is coupledto a respective valve 36 so the distribution request signal S directlycauses opening of the valve 36 so liquid can be distributed from thedistribution nozzle 26. In some embodiments, each activator 40 iscoupled to a respective fluid pump 24 that is fluidly coupled to theactivator's associated distribution nozzle 26 so the output distributionrequest signal S causes fluid pump 24 to supply liquid to the selecteddistribution nozzle 26.

Each activator 40 can be configured to activate and output thedistribution request signal S in a variety of ways. For example, theactivator 40 can be configured so an object placed in the path of lightemitted by activator 40 is sufficient to activate activator 40 and causethe distribution request signal S to be output. Alternatively, or inaddition, activator 40 can be configured as a transceiver that transmitsand receives radio signals and is configured to activate and output thedistribution request signal S when a corresponding radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) tag is placed within close proximity to activator40. Such a configuration allows, for example, liquid from liquid storagetank 18 to only be distributed to users who have the proper RFID tag,which may be located in a drinking vessel. Thus, it should beappreciated that a variety of activators 40 can be included in hydrationcart 10 provided according to the present invention so long as theactivators 40 can be activated without being physically touched.

A nozzle adjustment assembly 42 of hydration cart 10 is alsoillustrated. Nozzle adjustment assembly 42 may include a rail 44 or arm44 that is coupled to each distribution nozzle 26 and can be actuatedalong a track to adjust the position of the respective distributionnozzle 26. The rail 44 may be locked with a handle, or otherwise, tohold distribution nozzle 26 in the desired position.

Now, additionally referring to FIG. 7, distribution assembly 20 is atleast partially illustrated in block diagram form. Pump 24 is fluidlyconnected to liquid storage container 18 by way of fluid conduit 28.Nozzles 26 are connected to ends of arms 34 that emanate from a topportion of cart 12 in an outwardly generally radial manner, in agenerally horizontal plane. Activators 40 are proximate to each of theends of arms 44 with nozzles 26 associated therewith in close proximity.

Controller 38 is coupled to activators 40, pump 24, and valves 36.Controller 38 monitors input from activators 40 and when one of theactivators 40 sends a signal S, controller 38 directs that liquid fromliquid storage container 18 be sent to the nozzle 26 proximate theactivator 40 that sent signal. Additionally, controller 38 activatespump 24 to cause the liquid to flow to the nozzle 26 proximate theactivator 40 that sent the signal S.

Arms 44 are adjustably extendable/retractable, and as they extend theycause an increase in distance between the nozzle on the end of the armsrelative to the nozzles on adjacent arms. Further, when arms 44 retractthey are proximate to the cart, so as to allow easy movement of cart 12.

Battery 32 serves as a standalone electric power source that powerscontroller 38, activators 40 and pump 24. There can be more than onebattery 32 to provide power to distribution assembly 20.

Another view of the present invention is as a method of distributingliquid that includes the steps of moving liquid distribution system 10to a location; monitoring input from activators 40; receiving a signal Sfrom at least one of the activators 40; activating pump 24 when one ofthe activators 40 sends the signal S; and directing liquid from liquidstorage container 18 to the nozzle 26 proximate the activator 40 thatsent the signal S to cause the liquid to flow to the nozzle 26 proximatethe activator 40 that sent the signal S. The moving step indicating thatliquid distribution system 10 is mobile and does not require connectionswith continuous sources of electrical power or liquid.

The method further includes the steps of: adjusting the plurality ofarms 44 in an extendable/retractable manner; activating at least one ofthe valves 36, each of the valves 36 being associated with one of thenozzles 26, the plurality of valves 36 being under the control ofcontroller 38, wherein controller 38 activates pump 24 and each of thevalves 36 associated with the activator 40 that is sending signal S tothereby distribute the liquid to the nozzle 26 proximate to theactivator 40 sending the signal S.

From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the hydration cartprovided according to the present invention allows liquids from liquidstorage tank 18 to be distributed to one or more users without the usersneeding to physically touch or otherwise contact any components of thehydration cart 10. Eliminating the need for a user to touch hydrationcart 10 can reduce the spread of pathogens by reducing the risk ofdistribution nozzles 26, or other parts of hydration cart 10, acting asfomites. Further, hydration cart 10 is highly mobile so liquid can betransported and distributed in a large variety of locations withoutneeding to be close to the source of the liquid or mains electricity.Thus, hydration cart 10 provided according to the present inventionrepresents a hygienic way to distribute large volumes of water and otherhydrating liquids at almost any location.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least oneembodiment, the present invention can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid distribution system, comprising: a cart;a liquid storage container carried by the cart; a pump fluidly connectedto the liquid storage container; a plurality of arms emanating from thecart; a plurality of liquid nozzles, one of the liquid nozzlespositioned on an end of each of the plurality of arms; a plurality ofactivators, one of the activators proximate to each of the ends of thearms with the nozzles; and a controller coupled to the activators andthe pump, the controller monitoring input from the activators and whenone of the activators sends a signal the controller directs liquid fromthe liquid storage container to the nozzle proximate the activator thatsent the signal, the controller activating the pump to cause the liquidto flow to the nozzle proximate the activator that sent the signal. 2.The liquid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of armsemanate from a top portion of the cart.
 3. The liquid distributionsystem of claim 2, wherein the plurality of arms emanate in a generallyradial manner.
 4. The liquid distribution system of claim 3, wherein theplurality of arms are adjustably extendable/retractable.
 5. The liquiddistribution system of claim 4, wherein the extension of the pluralityof arms cause an increase in distance between the nozzle on the end ofone of the arms relative to the nozzles on adjacent arms.
 6. The liquiddistribution system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of arms arearranged in a generally horizontal plane.
 7. The liquid distributionsystem of claim 4, wherein the plurality of arms retract so that theyare proximate to the cart.
 8. The liquid distribution system of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of valves, each of the valves beingassociated with one of the nozzles, the plurality of valves beingfluidically connected to the pump, the plurality of valves being underthe control of the controller, wherein the controller activates the pumpand each of the valves associated with a activator that is sending asignal to thereby distribute the liquid to the nozzle proximate to theactivator sending the signal.
 9. The liquid distribution system of claim8, wherein the valves are connected to a manifold to which the pumpsupplies the liquid and thereby to the valves.
 10. The liquiddistribution system of claim 1, further comprising a standalone electricpower source that powers the controller, the activators and the pump.11. A method of distributing liquid, comprising the steps of: moving aliquid distribution system to a location, the liquid distribution systemincluding: a liquid storage container; a pump fluidly connected to theliquid storage container; a plurality of arms emanating from the system;a plurality of liquid nozzles, one of the liquid nozzles positioned onan end of each of the plurality of arms; a plurality of activators, oneof the activators proximate to each of the ends of the arms with thenozzles; and a controller coupled to the activators and the pump, thecontroller carrying out some of the steps of the method including thesteps of: monitoring input from the activators; receiving a signal fromat least one of the activators; activating the pump when one of theactivators sends the signal; and directing liquid from the liquidstorage container to the nozzle proximate the activator that sent thesignal to cause the liquid to flow to the nozzle proximate the activatorthat sent the signal.
 12. The method of distributing liquid of claim 11,wherein the plurality of arms emanate from a top portion of the system.13. The method of distributing liquid of claim 12, wherein the pluralityof arms emanate in a generally radial manner.
 14. The method ofdistributing liquid of claim 13, further comprising the step ofadjusting the plurality of arms in an extendable/retractable manner. 15.The method of distributing liquid of claim 14, wherein the extension ofthe plurality of arms cause an increase in distance between the nozzleon the end of one of the arms relative to the nozzles on adjacent arms.16. The method of distributing liquid of claim 14, wherein the pluralityof arms are arranged in a generally horizontal plane.
 17. The method ofdistributing liquid of claim 14, wherein the plurality of arms retractso that they are proximate to the system.
 18. The method of distributingliquid of claim 11, further comprising the step of activating at leastone of a plurality of valves, each of the valves being associated withone of the nozzles, the plurality of valves being fluidically connectedto the pump, the plurality of valves being under the control of thecontroller, wherein the controller activates the pump and each of thevalves associated with the activator that is sending a signal to therebydistribute the liquid to the nozzle proximate to the activator sendingthe signal.
 19. The method of distributing liquid of claim 18, whereinthe valves are connected to a manifold to which the pump supplies theliquid and thereby to the valves.
 20. The method of distributing liquidof claim 11, wherein the system further includes a standalone electricpower source that powers the controller, the activators and the pump.